Heating system



R. E. MOORE 2,345,209

HEATING SYSTEM Original Filed Oct. 8, 1941 2 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 ililil March 28, 1944.

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March 28, 1944. MOORE 2,345,209

. HEATING SYSTEM Original Filed 001;. 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 Patented Mar. 28, 1944 HEATING SYSTEM Robert E. Moore, Park Ridge, Ill.

Original application October 8, 1941, Serial No. 414,127. Divided and this application May 7,

1943, Serial No. 486,007

18 Claims.

My invention relates to a hot water heating system and more particularly to an arrangement for supplying hot water to the radiators and hot water for service or domestic use in quant'ities limited only by boiler or water heater capacity and in which the boiler is only required to satisfy either one of these demands at any one time.

In hot water heating systems which are intermittently and automatically fired by gas or oil, a, characteristic hookup includes a main circuit leading to the radiators having one or more flow control valves operated by a circulating pump which is responsive to the demands of a room thermostat and a parallel service water heating circuit through which boiler water flows continuously and thermogravitationally and therefore at a slow rate when the pump is not operatmg. It has been recognized that while a system of this type possesses simplicity of arrangement which is reflected in certain installation advantages, it is objectionable in other respects, name- 1y, a heating efliciency that is lower than it should be and longer on periods of the pump and burner under conditions of sustained demand by either the room thermostat or for service water or both.

For example, if after a sustained draw of service water with a consequent reduction in the temperature of the boiler water, the room thermostat should demand heat, there will obviously be a considerable lag in supplying adequate heat to th radiators, since the boiler is at the same time trying to restore the temperature of the service water. This condition is due to the relatively low initial temperature of the boiler water at the instant of demand and also because the cold water from the radiators is continuously circulated through the boiler and over or through the heating coil so that the temperature of the boiler water rises slowly. On the other hand, if the demand for service water follows a heavy radiator demand, the supply of hot spigot water will be inadequate and where bothkinds 01 demands are made simultaneously, neither the radiator nor the service requirements are satisfactorily met. Moreover, due to the slow movement of the boiler water across the hot water heating coil during inactive periods of the pump, the exchange of heat is relatively ineflicient. Further, difficulties arise in installations of the foregoing character due to lack or control over the temperature of the service water. In certain calities where the service water is indirectly heated by the boiler water to a temperature in excess of F., deposits of lime and sediment are formed rapidly in the storage tank or the coils of the heater, thus reducing the rate of heat exchange and lowering the temperature of the water available at the service outlets. This liming condition is continuously aggravated by recurrent periods of overheating. Problems of the foregoing nature are frequently encountered in apartment, restaurant, garage and hotel heating systems with their particularly heavy and all year round demands for hot water, but they are not uncommon in domestic installations.

If initial costs are not a factor, a partial solution of the foregoing problem is possible if boilers larger than the ordinary oversize boilers are used with corresponding sizes of heating coils and hot water storage tanks. Such costs, however, must usually be considered. The initial investment required with such a system is not only prohibitive but the fuel costs and heat losses are excessive and there is an extremely wasteful standby heat loss when there are no demands for radiator and service water. The latter condition is especially true with boilers that are built for gas firing, since such boilers are designed with large heating surfaces and relatively small water capacity. Accordingly, such boilers cool rapidly when the burner stops due to the sweep of cold air across the heating surfaces in its passage to the chimney and the temperature of the service water likewise falls.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to devise a heating system which utilizes a boiler, economical in size and fuel consumption, and so related to the remainder of the system that copious quantities of hot service water are immediately available within a shorter time than is possible with existing equipment and in which hot water for the radiators is furnished more quickly.

A further object is to devise a system of the foregoing character in which the same pump forces water through the radiators and also through the service water heater thus increasing the circulatory rate through the heater and facilitating the exchange of heat.

A further object is to provide a heating system of the character indicated in which the flow of water to the radiators is at all times subordinate to the demand for service water.

A further object is to devise a hot water heating system incorporating a tankless or instantaneous heater for service water in which the flow of water through the heater coil and to the radiators never occurs simultaneously whereby the full'heating capacity of the boiler is applied to either duty.

This application is a division of my copending application for Eating system, Serial No. 414,127, filed October 8, 1

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects are eflectuated will be definitely pointed out in the i h d wing In e ra s:

Fig. 1 shows a system employing a tankless heater in which a draw of service water conditions the system to heat service water only, the supply to the radiators occurring when demanded only between periods of service water draws. Figs. 2 and 3 are sections along the lines 2-2 and 3-3 in Figs. 1 and 2', both respectively, showing the thermostatic control and valve for determining the flow direction of the boiler water.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections along lines 4-4 and 5-5 in Figs. 5 and 2, both respectively, showing certain structural details.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a heating system employing a tankless or instantaneous service water heater in which the several parts are arranged so that draws-of service water and a flow 0! hot water to the radiators can never occur simultaneously. The numeral designates a gas fired boiler having the usual gas valve H for supplying fuel to the boiler. In this particular instance, the boiler is indicated as being of that type wherein the water flows downwardly across the heating surfaces of the boiler although the conventional upward flow boiler can be employed.

Accordingly, from the lower portion of the boiler extends a supply pipe '12 whose delivery end is connected to a thermostatically controlled valve structure generally indicated by the numeral I3 in Fig. l. The internal construction of this unit will be hereinafter described. but for the present it will be understood that it contains -devices for controlling the flow direction of hot water issuing from the boiler Ill through the pipe 12. This water may be either directed through a pipe 14 into a service water heating tank 15 and thence through a return pipe 16 to the boiler Ill, the pipe 16 including the usual circulating pump 11, or the hot water may be directed through the radiator supply pipe ll to one or more radiators II and thence by a return pipe III which connects with the return pipe It on the inlet side of the pump 11. For purpose of illustration, a one-pipe system is shown, although the radiators may be bridged between the pipes 12 and 18 if desired. In the case oi a onepipesystem, the connection oftheradiators to the pipe 12 may be eifected by fittings of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,663,271. Preferably, the pipes 18 and II are provided with flow control valves II and I! which open only when the pump is operating and the valve structure 13 is conditioned to pass water through the pipe II and are closed at all other times. As is well understood in the art, these valves perform another function during the summer season in that they prevent thermogravitational flow of hot boiler water through the radiators.

Cold water is supplied by a pipe 83 which may be connected to any source of water, such as a city main, and this cold supply is passed through the valve structure 13 in order to exercise a cerhereinafter described and thence through the pipe 84 to a service water heating 0011 II which is immersed in the water in the tank II. The delivery end of the coil II is connected by a pipe it to any desired number of service outlets. As presently described. the tank II contains water substantially at .boiler temperature whenever the valve structure I! is conditioned to pass boiler water through the pipe ll.

The thermostatically controlled valve structure II constitutes an essential element of my invention in that it exercises prompt control on the flow direction of the hot boiler water. This structure is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, to which reference will now be made. It comprises a tubular member '1 (see Fig. 2) whose upper end is connected to an elongated valve housing ll having spaced transverse walls 80 and 90 which divide the interior of the housing into an intermediate chamber 9| and upper and lower chambers 92 and 03, respectively. Valve seats 94 and II are mounted in the walls 89 and 90, respectively, in spaced and opposed relation and these seats are engaged by a reciprocable valve II that is secured to a stem 91, the upper end of the stem being guided in a sleeve 88 secured to the upper end of the housin ll.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the delivery end of the supply pipe 12 from the boiler is connected to the lower end of the member 81 so that hot boiler water courses upwardly through the member 81 and thence into the chamber 2i where the direction of the water, either into the chamber 82 or the chamber II, is controlled by the position of the valve It. For purpose of easy illustration, the valve 96 is shown in an intermediate position between the seats 24 and II, but it will be understood that it normally occupies a position in contact with either one of the seats depending upon conditions occurring in other parts of the system. The inlet end of the pipe I4 communicates with the chamber 92, while the inlet end of the pipe ll communicates with the chamber 83.

The lower end of the valve stem 9] is pivotally connected to one end of a lever I! which is intermediately pivoted in a nipple I" that is threaded in the lower portion of the housing 88. As in the case of the structure shown in Fig. 3. the lever extends without the housing 8. and leakage is prevented by means of a bellows IOI whose ends are connected to the nipple ill and to a disk I02 that may be welded or otherwise secured to the lever I2. Beyond the bellows, the lever 09 is pivotally connected to the lower end of an operating rodbushing I mounted in the bottom of a cup I05 tain control on the operation of the system as whose open end is closed by a diaphragm I. The periphery of the diaphragm is clamped against the cup Ill by a cover lll'l formed as an inverted cup. The upper end of the rod IN is secured to the diaphragm and interposed between the diaphragm and bushing I is a helical spring I" which serves to move the diaphragm I" upwardly when downwardly displaced as hereinafter described. The unit comprising the cup Ill and cover Illl may be supported from the housing II by a bracket Ill.

The cover I01 may be filled with water or any desired liquid and one end of a small tube II, the internal diameter of which may be of the order of 1*; Man inch, is connected to the interior of the cover ill, while the opposite end is mounted in a cup I that is secured to the lower end of the member ll (see Fig. 2). The lower end' of a casing H2 is supported by thecup Ill and may contain air or any gaseous medium which communicates with the water in the casing through the tube II 0. The casing I I2 is preferably coaxial with the member 81 and it extends for substantially the length thereof. Also coaxial with the member 31 and disposed therebetween and the casing H2 is a tube I I3 whose lower end is rested on a shoulder provided in the cup II I and whose upper end is closed, the upper ends of the casing H2 and tube H3 being spaced from each other as indicated in Fig. 2.

A pair of diametrically arranged .bafiles I I4-I I4 are disposed between the casing H2 and tube H3 with their lower ends resting on the bottom wall of the cup III and the upper ends terminating close to the upper end of the casing H2. This construction provides a pair of passages H5 and H6 between the casing H2 and the tube H3 so that cold water flowing through the pipe 83 is caused to upwardly and downwardly traverse the full length of the casing H2 before passing into the pipe 84 for delivery to the coil 35. This arrangement insures that when a faucet is opened, the cold water flows along the surface of the casing H2 and exercises an almostinstantaneous effect on the gas in the easing' to thereby insure a prompt shifting of the valve 96 as hereinafter described.

The lever 99 extends beyond its pivotal connection with the rod I03 into operative relation to rocking movement of the lever to close the switches. The internal construction of these switches form no part of the present invention and have not been illustrated in detail, but it will be understood that the switch H1 is closed when the finger H9 is moved upwardly and the switch H8 is closed when the finger I is pushed downwardly. The switches may be conveniently carried by an arm I2I depending from the cup I05.

The switches I I1 and I I9 form part of an electrical circuit which will now be described. Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral I22 designates a power line which is connected to the remainder of the circuit by a main switch I23. From the latter switch leads a hot wire I24 to one terminal of the switch I I1 and from the other terminal of this switch leads a hot wire I25 to a conventional high limit or safety control I26 conveniently mounted in the supply line 12 and which interrupts the circuit when, for example, the temperature of the boiler water exceeds 220 F. A hot wire I21 connects the control I26 with one terminal of a motor I28 which is drivably connected to the pump 11 and a hot wire I29 connects the wire I21 with a gas valve H. A ground wire I30 connects the gas valve with the main switch I23 and a similar wire I3I connects the pump motor I28 with the wire I30.

A wire I32 connects the wire I24 with a room thermostat I33 positioned to be affected by the radiator 19 and a wire I34 connects the thermostat with one terminal of the switch H8. The other terminal of the switch is connected by the wire I35 to the wire I25.

In describing the operation of the system, it will be assumed that one of the service outlets (not shown) is open so that cold water is flowing through the passages H5 and H6 to the heating coil 85. Under these conditions, the cold water chills the air or gas within the casing H2 sufllciently to enable the spring I08 to move the diaphragm I06 upwardly and cause the valve 96 to engage the seat 95, thereby diverting water from the boiler 10 into the pipe 14 and thence through the tank 15.

This clockwise rocking of the lever 99, as viewed in Fig. 3, engages the finger H9 and closes the switch H1 which completes the electric circuit through the motor I28 and the gas valve 1I. Accordingly, the boiler 10 is fired and all water is continuously circulated downwardly through the boiler and upwardly through the pipe 12, the annular passage I36 surrounding the tube H3 and thence through the pipe 14, tank 15 and return pipe 16 to the boiler. This condition persists as long as a faucet is open so that the full capacity of the boiler 10 is directed to satisfying the demand for hot service water.

-When the faucet is closed, cold water no longer flows through the passages H5 and H6 and the water then contained in these passages is heated by the hot water in the passage I36 which is substantially at boiler temperature. The heating of the water in the passages H5 and H6 raises the temperature of the air in the casing- I I2 so that the diaphragm I 06 is moved downwardly, thus rocking the lever 99 in a counterclockwise direction and opening the switch H1 and breaking the circuit to the pump motor and gas valve. The last noted rocking of the lever 99 engages the valve 96 with the seat 94, whereupon the device is conditioned to supply hot water to the radiators whenever the room thermostat I33 demands heat, and also engages the finger I20 to close the switch H8. Therefore, when the thermostat I 33 demands heat, the electric circult is again closed through the pump motor I21 and gas valve 1I so that the full capacity of the boiler 10 is utilized to supply heat to the radiators. If at any time during the period when the radiators are being supplied with hot water, a faucet should open, the ensuing flow of cold water through the passages H5 and H6 chills the air in the casing H2, whereupon the lever 99 is rocked in a clockwise direction to engage the valve 96 with the seat and close the switch H1. The first noted operation of heating the service water will then be resumed.

I have ascertained that after all the faucets have been closed, the valve 96 is shifted from a position engaging the seat 95 to one in contact with the seat 94 in approximately five seconds so that even though there should be a demand by the room thermostat I 33 immediately after the closing of the faucets, only a very short time is required to condition the system for radiator supply. From a temperature standpoint, a variation of 25 F. in the temperature of the gas in the casing H2 is suificient to shift the valve 96 from one position to another if the pump is not operating. Ordinarily, water from a city main would enter the passage H5 at approximately 60 F. and since the water in the boiler is never below F., a surplus of thergnopower is available to effect each operation of the valve 96.

During summer operation, when hot water is not desired in the radiators, the system may be operated in the usual manner, i. e., by setting the thermostat I33 to a point such that it can never demand heat. Hence, regardless of the closing of the switch H8, the pump motor I23 will not function because the thermostat I33 is then open, while the valves BI and 32 prevent thermogravitational flow to the radiators during times when the valve 96 is in contact with the seat 94.

I claim:

1. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with 'the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchang ing relation to the heating circuitiand valve 2. In a hot water heating system, the combi-- nation of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means shiftable between positions directing flow of boiler water to one circuit while denying flow to the other circuit, and means responsive to the flow of water through the pipe for shifting the valve means to direct boiler water through the heating circuit while denying flow to the radiator circuit.

3. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means shiftable between positions controlling flow to either circuit, and means connected to the valve means and responsive to the temperature of the boiler water and of the cold water when flowing through the pipe, the cold water flow exercising primary control on the responsive means to shift the valve means to direct boiler water through the heating circuit and the valve means is shifted to direct boiler water through the radiator circuit when the cold water flow is interrupted.

4. In a hot water heating system, the coinbination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means for controlling the flow of boiler water to the circuits, thermally responsive means connected to the valve means, acold water passage in heat exchanging relation to the responsive means, and a boiler water passage in heat exchanging relation to the cold water passage whereby flow of cold water through the cold wa-- ter passage exercisesprimary control on the responsive means to shift the valve means to direct boiler water through the heating circuit and the valve means is moved to direct boiler water through the radiator circuit by the indirect boiler water heating of the responsive means when the cold water flow is interrupted.

5. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means comprising a chamber filled with gas whose variations in pressure eflect changes in position of the valve means, a cold water passage enclosing the chamber in heat exchanging of the gas chamber when the cold water flow is interrupted.

6. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve' means shiftable between positions directing flaw to either circuit, means thermally responsive to the boiler water and to the cold watervflow through the pipe and adapted to shift the valve means to direct flow to the radiator circuit between draws of service water.

'I. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a circulating pump com- .mon to both circuits, 0, service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means shiftable between positions directing flow to either circuit, means connected to the valve means and responsive to the temperature of the boiler water and of the cold water when flowing through the pipe, the cold water flow exercising primary control on the responsive means to shift the valve means to direct boiler water through the heating circuit and the valve means being shifted to direct boiler water through the radiator circuit when the cold water flow is interrupted, and

.an electric circuit comprising a motor connected to the pump and a pair of switches arranged in parallel, one switch closing when the valve means directs boiler water to the radiator circuit and the other switch closing when the valve means directs boiler water through the heating circuit, and a room thermostat included in the circuit with the first named switch.

8. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with-the boiler, a circulating pump common to both circuits, a service water pipe in heat exrelation thereto and a boiler water passage enchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means .shiftable between positions directing flow to either circuit, means connected to the valve means and responsive to the temperature of the boiler water and of the cold water when flowing through the pipe, the cold water flow exercising primary control on the responsive means to shift the valve means to direct boiler water through the heating circuit and the valve means being shifted to direct boiler water through the radiator circuit when the cold water flow is. interrupted, and an electric circuit comprising firing means for the boiler, a motor connected to the pump, and a pair of switches arranged in parallel, one switch closing when the valve means directs boiler water through the radiator circuit and the other switch closing when the valve means directs boiler water through the heating circuit, and a room thermostat included in circuit with the first named switch.

9. In a hot water heating system having a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, the combination of a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, a valve common to both circuits, and thermostatic means 10. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a 11. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, and valve means for controlling flow of boiler water to the radiator and heating circuits and responsive to the draw of water through the pipe for directing boiler water through the heating circuit while denying flow to the radiator circuit.

12. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means for controlling the flow of boiler water to the circuits, thermally responsive means connected to the valve means, a cold water passage and a boiler water passage in heat exchanging relation to the responsive means, the cold water passage exercising primary control on the responsive means whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the heating circuit when the cold water is flowing and the thermal means being heated by the boiler water passage when the cold water flow is interrupted whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the radiator circuit.

13. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means for controlling the flow of boilenwater to the circuits, thermally responsive means connected to the valve means, a cold water passage and a boiler water passage in heat exchanging relation to and in concentric relation to the responsive means, the cold water passage exercising primary control on the responsive means whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the heating circuit when the cold water is flowing and the thermal means being heated by the boiler water passage when the cold water flow is interrupted whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the radiator circuit.

14. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means tor controlling the flow of. boiler water to the circuits, thermally responsive means connected to the valve means, a cold water passage surrounding and in heat exchanging relation to the thermal means, and a boiler water passage surrounding and in heat exchanging relation to the cold water passage, the cold water passage exercising primary control on the thermal means whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the heating circuit when the cold water is flowing and the thermal means being heated by the boiler water passage when the cold water flow is interrupted whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the radiator circuit.

'15. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means shiftable between positions directing flow of boiler water to either circuit, means connected to the valve means and responsive to the temperature of the boiler water and of the cold water when flowing through the pipe, the cold water exercising primary control on the responsive means to shift the valve means to direct boiler water through the heating circuit and the valve means being shifted to direct boiler water through the radiator circuit when the cold water flow is interrupted, and an electric circuit comprising flring means for the boiler, a pair oi switches arranged in parallel, one of the switches closing when the valve means directs boiler water to the radiator circuit and the other switch closing when the valve means directs boiler water through the heating circuit, and a room thermostat included in the circuit with the first named switch.

16. In a hot water heating system having a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, the combination of a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means for controlling flow through both circuits, and thermostatic means responsive to the flow of water through the pipe for actuating the valve means to direct boiler water through the heat ing circuit and responsive to the temperature 01 the boiler water to shift the valve means to direct boiler water to the radiator circuit when the flow through the pipe is interrupted,

17. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a service water pipe in heat boiler water to the radiator circuit when the flow through the pipe is interrupted.

- 18. In a hot water heating system having a boiler, a radiator circuit and a service water heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, the combination of a service water pipe in heat exchanging relation to the heating circuit, valve means for controlling the flow of boiler water to the circuits, thermally responsive means connected to the valve means, a cold water passage and a boiler water passage in heat exchanging relation to the responsive means, the cold water passage exercising primary control on the responsive means whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the heating circuit when the cold water is flowing and the responsive means being heated by the boiler water passage when the cold water flow is interrupted whereby the valve means acts to direct boiler water only through the radiator circuit.

ROBERT E. MOORE. 

